Which type of correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases?

A negative correlation describes a relationship between two variables where, as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. This indicates an inverse relationship where one variable moves in opposition to the other. For instance, if we consider a study on the relationship between the number of hours spent studying and the number of errors made on a test, a negative correlation would suggest that as study hours increase, the number of errors decreases, highlighting how one variable can adversely affect the other.

In contrast, a positive correlation signifies that both variables increase or decrease together, reflecting a direct relationship. No correlation means there is no discernible relationship between the two variables, while linear correlation refers to a specific type of correlation that is consistent in direction and magnitude but does not specify whether that relationship is positive or negative. Thus, the negative correlation is pivotal to understanding how two inversely related variables interact.